The offseason remains relatively slow for Major League Baseball and we enter the “holiday break” where not much generally happens around Christmas and New Year's. However, there is still a lot to do, maybe this year things will be different and the stove will actually be hot again.
In the meantime, let's dive into the latest rumors, starting with the man who could cause a stir by signing.
Latest on Yoshinobu Yamamoto
While it's not yet decision time for coveted right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto – the top free-agent starting player on the market this offseason – the time is getting closer. According to publication rules, he has 45 days to make his decision and the deadline is January 4th. Jon Morosi reports that Yamamoto has at least one offer worth $300 million or more, in line with recent expectations for the size of the contract he will receive.
As for the teams pursuing him, Yamamoto made an important move on Thursday night. According to Alex Pavlovic, Yamamoto has informed the San Francisco Giants that he will not be signing with them. As well as, Ben Nicholson-Smith adds that the Blue Jays are “not expected” to land Yamamoto.
Elsewhere, the Phillies have made Yamamoto a formal offer, according to multiple reports (mlb.com). The Phillies reportedly feel like they have made a strong offer, although they are not expected to be the highest bidder and are not the favorites to sign him. It's unknown what the Phillies' offer is for $300 million or more.
One of the few big free agent deals we've covered so far this offseason came from the Phillies when they re-signed starter Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract.
Looking at their current rotation, Yamamoto would ensure the Phillies are completely overwhelmed. They already have Nola, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Christopher Sánchez. If they signed Yamamoto and Suárez to put together a full season, which he seems capable of, and Nola returned to form after a loss in 2023, they would have four starters on the front line. Walker has been an All-Star before.
However, the Phillies have strong competition here. The Dodgers, Yankees and Mets are in the bidding and are widely considered the frontrunners. as Mark Feinsaid notes,while teams like the Red Sox and Blue Jays were also mentioned. However, as mentioned above, the Blue Jays are reportedly unable to win the tender.
Speaking of the Dodgers, they still have their eye on Yamamoto even after signing Shohei Ohtani and trading for Tyler Glasnow. On the advertising front, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times first reported that Yamamoto planned to attend the Rams-Saints NFL game at SoFi Stadium with Shohei Ohtani on Thursday night. However, This report was later retracted although the Rams originally “expected” Yamamoto to be there.
The Dodgers have rotation questions for 2024, and Yamamoto, as the best starting pitcher on the market, would address that shortcoming very head-on. The addition of Yamamoto would almost certainly make the Dodgers not only the World Series favorites, but as big a favorite as a team can be in the offseason.
The Seattle Mariners have discussed a trade with the Cleveland Guardians that would send first baseman Josh Naylor to Seattle. reports MLB Network. It looks like the Mariners are looking to bolster their offense through trades rather than focusing primarily on free agency.
Naylor, 26, will be under the team's control for two more years before hitting free agency. In 121 games last season, he hit .308/.354/.489 (133 OPS+) with 31 doubles, 17 home runs, 97 RBI, 52 runs, 10 steals and 2.5 WAR.
If Naylor is traded, it would be difficult to view it as much more than a pay cut, and Naylor isn't even expected to break the bank here in his second year of arbitration. It would likely be a precursor to a trade for Shane Bieber and possibly Emmanuel Clase as well.
If the Mariners sign Naylor, he would be a quality 1B/DH combination with Ty France.
Yankees sign Gonzalez to minor league deal
The Yankees have signed outfielder Luis González to a minor league contract. according to Ken Rosenthal.
The 28-year-old González was the NL Rookie of the Month for May 2022. In 98 games for the Giants this season, he hit .254/.323/.360 (95 OPS+) with 17 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 36 RBI, 31 runs and 10 stolen bases. He underwent back surgery last spring and returned to finish the season hitting .248/.350/.352 in 31 minor league games. He will serve as organizational reinforcement.
And no, this isn't the same guy who slammed a Mariano Rivera pitch into left field in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, giving the Diamondbacks their first franchise title.